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NBA Award Watch: Chris Paul is on a mission

By John Buhler

Nov 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Cole Aldrich (45) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Cole Aldrich (45) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixth Man of the Year: Enes Kanter

Losing a superstar in Kevin Durant is a tough pill for the Oklahoma City Thunder to swallow. They’ll still be a competitive basketball team in 2016-17 because point guard Russell Westbrook will make them one. However, somebody has to step up to give Oklahoma City a chance at being more than a first-round exit in the 2017 Western Conference Playoffs.

While many have tabbed either Steven Adams or Victor Oladipo as that guy, the Thunder may have a serious Sixth Man of the Year candidate in center Enes Kanter. Kanter has the best PER in the league of a non-starter at 23.4.

In 11 games and not a single start, Kanter is averaging 12.2 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting the basketball well from the floor at 56.3 percent. Kanter is also improving as a defensive player in his sixth year in the NBA. He already has 0.4 Defensive Win Shares. Kanter has never done better than 2.1 in any NBA season to date.

The Thunder will need to play more like a team now that they are without one of their two superstars for the rest of time. Kanter may eventually force his way into Billy Donovan’s starting lineup, but his is giving this Oklahoma City quite the boost coming off the bench.

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